HOW LENT USED TO BE

Some of you weren't even born when the following picture was taken.  To let you younger folks see how it used to be, I am posting a photo which I have posted on other occasions but it is one that makes me gasp - no matter how often I see it.  It was taken at the mens' Mission held at St Patrick's Church during Lent of 1953.  A full house or what?

Mens' Mission, St Patrick's Church, Lent 1953

Perhaps some of you weren't even born when this notice appeared in a Sunday Bulletin. However, there are still many of us who remember those austere days of bygone Lenten Seasons.  

From St Patrick's Church Bulletin, Passion Sunday, 1968

I found it on the St Patrick's Parish website.  It is an excerpt from the Sunday Bulletin for Passion Sunday, 31st March 1968.  It clearly illustrates how seriously Lent was taken and how the Church helped us prepare for the celebration of Easter.  

Just in case the children thought Easter was all about eggs and rabbits, their spiritual welfare was also well provided for, as this note from the same Sunday Bulletin confirms.

Boys and girls are not forgotten

Perhaps Lent isn't quite as austere as it used to be but it is still a time for reflection and renewal.  Fortunately for us, the Church still helps us along the path that takes us to the real and joyful meaning of Easter.

Just in case you are wondering what "Passion Sunday" is, follow this link and all will be revealed. 
http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/deaconsbench/2010/03/what-is-passion-sunday.html

GREAT PHOTOS FROM DEBBIE AND TERI

I have two great photos to post today and they span quite a few years.  Have a look and see how many names you can add.

The first photo comes from Teri Healey Evans and it was taken in the 1970s.  It is of some of the members of one of Sr Brendan’s amazing Choirs and the incomparable Sr Brendan herself is here with her girls.  The photo was taken at a Convent that they visited when the Glee Club travelled to Ottawa to perform.  Teri informed us that on one of their outings between performances, they visited this Convent and they all crammed into a room and sang for the Sisters there.   Teri is sitting directly in front of Sr Brendan; to her right are Helen Mallard and Karen Mugford.  To Teri’s left is Heather Ann McDonald (wearing glasses).  Teri can’t name the rest but perhaps you can?  If you can, would you please drop us a note at mcallistersmith@gmail.com.

*21st March 2018
This nice little addition to Teri's photo comes to us, via email, from Yvonne Cullen McIsaac:  "I enjoyed seeing the photo so much on fb. I was there also (YVONNE CULLEN was my maiden name now YVONNE MCISAAC). The Keating girls were there. Peggy Keating is the girl in the blue with glasses.

I live in Ottawa now and occasionally drive past the convent we visited on Montreal Road. Beautiful memories for sure." 

Thanks for getting in touch, Yvonne. We appreciate and enjoy every scrap of information that we can gather.  Have you ever dropped into that Convent and told them your story?  It might be a pleasant memory for somebody there also.  Just a thought!

Sr M Brendan and her girls

The second picture was sent to us by Debbie Thomas Meyer.  This beautiful photo was taken in 1950.  Debbie’s mother, PAULINE MCDONALD, (now PAULINE THOMAS) is seated, second right.  Debbie’s aunt, SHIRLEY MCDONALD (now SHIRLEY McCOLLUM of Marion, Indiana) is in the back row, fourth right.  

Debbie's lovely Mom and Aunt with their
Grade 8 classmates

Debbie, because my sister, Doreen McAllister, is in this photo, I can add a couple of other details.   This is Grade 8 and the teacher was Miss Carew.  Some of the other girls in the photo are;

Lorraine Nugent, kneeling right

Helen Power, seated 5 left

Doreen McAllister, seated 6 left

Mary Hawco, back row 5 left

Thank you very much Teri and Debbie for these two lovely photos.  They span a lot of years and I am sure they will bring back some rich memories for a lot of people.  If you have any other photos or stories that you would like to share with us, I would be more than delighted to post them.  As I stated above, you can send anything you have to mcallistersmith@gmail.com. Thanks again Debbie and Teri.

5th ANNUAL GATHERING AND 50th ANNIVERSARY- UPDATED

Christine Butler has written with details of the upcoming 5th Annual Gathering which also happens to be the 50th Anniversary of the Grade 3 Class of 1967-68.  Here is Christine's email, including details of events and contact address and phone number.  It sounds like a great time awaits you all.  We wish you all a grand reunion!

Hi there, hope things are good.

Just letting you know that we will be having our 5th annual gathering, which will also be the 50th Anniversary of our grade 3 class of 1967-68. This gathering also includes any graduates of the 1973-74 school year. Here is information I would like you to post on blog and Facebook page, please and thanks.

 

Grade 3 Class, 1967-68

ST. PATRICK'S GIRLS SCHOOL

GRADE 3 CLASS OF 1967-68 AND/OR

GRADE 9 CLASS OF 1973-74

FAMILY PICNIC

(Bring along whomever you like)

SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2018

12 NOON - 4PM

NORTH BANK LODGE, PIPPY PARK

Hotdogs, hamburgers provided

(We'll sort that out closer to event)

Bring your refreshments

(Non -alcohol)

We'll also have munchies

CLASSMATES ONLY EVENT

SUNDAY, JUNE 10, 2018

DEBBIE ANDERSON'S HOME, PARADISE

THANK YOU DEBBIE

2 PM - 5 PMish

We will order in

BYOB

Have a couple of desserts also

IF INTERESTED IN ATTENDING AND BEING ADDED TO MY GROUP EMAIL:

Contact: Christine Butler

Phone: 709-689-8798

Email: butlerchristine@nl.rogers.com

Thank you very much.

Regards

Christine Butler 

We have just received another photo from Christine so I will add it here and update the post.  

Another photo from Christine

What a lovely picture this one is and it has all the names, including the teacher's. 

The names!

FIRST NEWFOUNDLAND BORN PRESENTATION SISTER

Sr Mary Rose Mulally was the first Newfoundland born Presentation Sister.  She was also one of the four founding Sisters of our own St Patrick’s Convent.   On 3^rd March 1903, Sr Rose Mulally died at Renews and was laid to rest in the Presentation Cemetery there.  Sr Rose was 79 years of age.

Grave of Sr Rose Mulally, the first Newfoundland born Presentation  Sister

BEAUTIFUL ST PATRICK'S CHURCH

Rhonda Denine Peddle sent us a picture of St Patrick's Church.  I think it is a very beautiful picture so I asked Rhonda if she could find out a little about the picture and the artist.  Rhonda came through with flying colours!  She contacted the artist and some very interesting details emerged.

Rhonda's picture

Rhonda's picture is a print of an oil painting by talented local artist Deirdre Jackson.  Although Deirdre lives in the Goulds, she has a special connection to St Patrick’s Parish.

Deirdre’s mother was Joan Gosse from Hamilton Avenue.  Joan’s sisters were Loretta and Irene Gosse.  Joan attended St Patrick’s from the time she was three or four years old and, after she married, Joan Gosse Dinn continued to attend with her husband and children. Joan passed away last year at the age of 95.

  

There is a touching little story behind this beautiful painting.  Deidre’s niece was living in Ireland but in 2008 she came home to be married at St Patrick’s Church.  As a surprise wedding gift, Deidre created the painting and actually presented this thoughtful and loving gift to her in the church, at the wedding rehearsal! 

The original painting is now in Carlow, Ireland, with Deidre’s niece and family but 11 x 14 prints can be purchased from Deidre.  You can contact Deidre at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dees-Art-Worx-Gallery/887096771331837?fref=ts  As well as St Patrick's Church, you will find some really lovely work there.

Rhonda, I am so pleased that you shared your picture with us and very grateful for all you did to find out the details behind it.  Knowing about the artist and the background of the painting makes it all the more interesting.  So, thanks Rhonda and Deidre for sharing and for your help.